COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M University officials say Reveille VII, a retired collie mascot of the school, has died at the age of 12.

The female canine who had retired in 2008 died Thursday. Reveille VII, born in October 2000, spent about seven years on the job.

The dog, who lived with Paul and Tina Gardner of College Station, fell ill a few days ago and was taken to the A&M veterinary hospital.

Paul Gardner says the staff there did surgery to repair a hole in her digestive tract. He says that while she seemed to respond well at first, "she had too much wrong with her" and had to be euthanized.

A&M has had a succession of dogs named Reveille. They appear at a host of events, from football games to weddings.